Students in grades two through twelve are gearing up to present Tecumseh High School’s 2016 musical production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Show times for this classic, family-friendly musical are 7:00 pm on March 18 and 19, with a matinee showing on March 20 at 2:00 pm.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show is a bright, fast-paced, musical retelling of the Biblical saga featuring the trials and triumphs of Israel’s favorite son, Joseph, and includes the well-known songs “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”
Director Melissa Willardson has been involved with Tecumseh theatrical productions for over twenty-five years. With 80 students participating, Willardson says Joseph is one of the largest productions Tecumseh has ever staged, as well as one of its shortest. The show features little spoken dialogue; instead it uses a non-stop, dizzying assortment of musical genres, dancing, and costumes to tell how Joseph’s prophetic dreams, jealous brothers, and marvelous “coat of many colors” send him places he never dreamed possible.
According to Willardson, Tecumseh students from almost every grade are a part of this year’s show. The large number of seniors involved in Joseph makes the show even more special for Willardson. Two seniors, Jason Holbrook (“Joseph”) and Ryan Tilley (“Asher”), have participated in Tecumseh musicals since grade school. Holbrook says playing Joseph is a dream come true for him, “Joseph has been a challenging role, but I’ve wanted to play him since I was young. I think the audience will really enjoy Joe’s story because it takes you through a lot of emotions and is one we can all relate to…especially if you have siblings!”
Senior Emily Keeton moves from the pit orchestra to take the stage in her first-ever role of “Narrator,” guiding the audience through the wild events in Joseph’s life. “Joseph’s story is really interesting and the songs move the show along very quickly. No one will get bored at this show!” says Keeton.
Students agree one of the best things about participating in Tecumseh’s musicals is the feeling of family that develops among them, Senior Austin Litteral (“Reuben”) has been in several productions and he comments, “It’s awesome being in musicals (at Tecumseh) because you meet such wonderful people and get to work with them. We just become like one big family and have a lot of fun together.” Junior Lydia DePausata further states, “…people can be themselves and let loose. This is definitely one of the best things I’ve ever been involved in.”
Willardson says the time and talents invested by parents and volunteers play a huge role in the success of Joseph and other Tecumseh theatrical productions, “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to put something like this on…they are just amazing and support the kids so much!”
Tickets for Tecumseh’s staging of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are $10.00 and are available at both Tecumseh high school and middle school. Tickets can also be ordered from cast members or purchased at the door. However, Willardson recommends purchasing tickets early because interest in Tecumseh’s musicals has historically been very high.
